Workbox Introduction: Maidolls

You might recognise Betty? We mentioned her in a post earlier this Summer HERE when she came to live with us in the Applewood. Betty comes from the creative hands of UK artist, Melodie Stacey who you might know better as, Maidolls, and who is the owner of this week's workbox.

The Maidolls world is created through knitted textiles, delicate papercuts, felt, modelling clay and watercolour. Under this title, Melodie conjures up a world of serene folk, largely female, who have a poetic and timeless quality about them. It is no surprise therefore that Melodie is inspired by artists such as French painter, Marie Laurencin, author Tove Jansson and Russian dollmaker, Takiyaje - all of whom share similarly haunting qualities in their work. Murgatroyd & Bean favourites Julie Arkell, Cathy Cullis & Tamar Mogendorf are also of great inspiration to Melodie.

Above: 'Umbrella Ladies' watercolour (one of a pair) 2012

After studying art to MA level in Aberdeen, Melodie is now based in Brighton. She comes from a family line with reputable needlework skills what with her Grandmother and Aunts being dressmakers by profession during the 1920's - 1950's. When her Grandmother was relocated to Dorset during the Second World War she became the seamstress which the village turned to to have their tea dresses and ballgowns made by. The 'dressmaking' theme continues through Melodie's work in the delightful knitted outfits she creates for her art dolls. Just look at the little red dress above.

Many of the items within Melodie's sewing boxes have been handed down by these very family members; ribbons, thimbles, buttons & embroidery transfers for example. There is a real sense of 'times past' within these boxes which beautifully echoes through the Maidolls pieces too.

The sewing skills in the family have now passed onto the next generation with Melodie's daughter also showing a keen interest in 'stitchcraft', often working on her own projects alongside her mother.

All of Maidolls dolls are sewn on a beloved 1930's Singer sewing machine which was gifted to Melodie by a dear friend who collects them.

As well as selling her work through Etsy, Maidolls has exhibited across England and Scotland and finds time to write a regular blog. The Maidolls blog also lets you know when new creations have become available for sale. Follow the links below to keep up to date with what Maidolls is up to next:

The Owl, the Hare & the Human

On an apple tree covered hill near a winding 'Shire river sits the workshop of Murgatroyd & Bean.Murgatroyd (the Owl) & Bean (the Hare) have known each other since they were but a chick and a leveret. At a young age they were apprenticed to the applewood's needlesmith, Meles-Meles the badger, where they learnt their stitch craft and became friends with the stitch-fingered Human, Kathleen.In their workshop they make curiosities from found materials, handstitch and embroidery, inspired by the surrounding landscape and tales from the Wood.

Read on to find out about the handstitched endeavours & discoveries of the Owl, the Hare and the Human